Art sling

ABSTRACT

The subject invention discloses an adjustable sling consisting of one large looped strap and one small looped strap, wherein the larger loop is placed over the shoulder of a user while the smaller loop is simultaneously placed over the wrist of the user. Both of these loops can be adjusted to fit the user. In addition, the larger loop can be placed over either shoulder and the smaller loop can be placed over either wrist. Furthermore, the smaller loop&#39;s attachment to the larger loop can move freely up and down the larger loop. This art sling allows a user to keep his or her hand of the looped wrist balanced and steady while engaging in art activities such as painting or drawing. This art sling also provides the user with extra support of the arm while engaging in such activities to prevent against fatigue.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The invention relates generally to the field of tools and utensils foraiding in the preparation of works of art by steadying the artist's handand preventing fatigue.

2. Description of the Related Art

Most artwork requires a precise and accurate use of a device by hand,such as a paintbrush, or a chisel. During these types of artwork, theshoulder, arm and wrist provide stability and control to the handengaged in the artwork.

Engaging in artwork or restoring artwork can be time consuming andexhaustive. These tasks demand large amounts of extremely focusedconcentration and energy. These tasks can be compounded by the necessaryprecision that must be maintained throughout the processes. Maintainingthis precision in the face of long periods of time and expenditure ofenergy can be difficult, if not impossible for older or disabledartists. The amount and type of concentration demanded may be physicallyexhausting to many and virtually impossible for the disabled. Manyartists will find their abilities diminished over time as old agereduces the amount of energy they can expend engaging in theseactivities. Many are physically unable to participate in theseactivities or can only participate to such a limited degree that itleads to high levels of frustration.

Many previous devices have been disclosed which attempt to ease theamount of energy and concentration needed to engage in such artwork byalleviating the stress on the shoulder, neck, arm and wrist of theartist.

Karlin, U.S. Pat. No. 4,188,006, describes an armrest physicallyconnected to a two-dimensional work surface, such as a canvas, toprovide a surface for an artist to rest and/or steady his or her handwhile painting or drawing. While this rest may be adjustable, it islimited to work types of artwork it may be applied. For instance, itwould be difficult to apply this arm rest to sculpting. In addition,this arm rest is bulky and adjusting the device is time consuming.

Hoyt, U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,198, describes a similar device which is a rodattached at one end to an artist's easel which can be held by the otherhand of the user over a canvas to support and steady the artist'spainting hand. Once again, this device may be adjustable, but is limitedto work types of artwork it may be applied and adjusting the device istime consuming. Furthermore, the artist must hold the rod in thenon-painting arm forcing the artist to hold the weight of the paintingarm for the duration of the activity.

Amirian, U.S. Pat. No. 5,172,883, describes an apparatus which rests onan easel consisting of two adjustable rails joined together by a pivotalconnection which permit an artist to rest his or her hand whilepainting.

Falconer, U.S. Pat. No. 6,565,059 describes an adjustable hand rest forartists attached to an artist's easel for steadying the hand whenperforming delicate brush strokes. Additionally, the hand rest islightweight and easy to install on either an easel or canvas, making itreadily portable. Positioning is easily changed by moving the hand restrod to another peg.

Oliver, U.S. Pat. No. 6,691,972 describes an adjustable hand rest forartists attached to a workspace. The handrest includes an elongated handsupport member which spans the work surface and each end of which isindependently vertically adjustable with respect to the other.

While the above tools do alleviate the stress of the arm of a user andthe energy needed to create a work of art, they do not offer a portabledevice which is flexible for multiple types of artistry. These previousdescribed devices can be cumbersome to carry, set up and adjust. What isneeded is a flexible device that aids artists maintain levels ofprecision for long periods of time with virtually any sort of artwithout being cumbersome to carry or adjust.

The proposed invention discloses the use of a new sling to aid in thecreation of art. Other slings have been created in the past that aidindividuals with other tasks.

Johnson, U.S. Pat. No. 3,554,194, describes an arm sling with upper andlower loops or strap portions joined together to form a generallyfigure-eight configuration.

Tan, U.S. Pat. No. 6,767,290, describes a golf training aid consistingof a shoulder strap attached to a separate strap adapted for connectionto the user above the elbow. This device is designed to aid a golferdevelop a golf swing. The golf training aid has a shoulder strap adaptedto be worn by the golfer around the shoulder of one arm, and an elbowmember adapted to be worn above the elbow of the opposite arm. When worma portion of the shoulder strap passes in front of the golfer where acoupling structure couples the shoulder strap to the elbow member suchthat the arms are positioned in front of the golfer's body. The golftraining aid is adapted to maintain a substantially constant distancebetween the shoulder and the opposite elbow of the golfer during a golfswing, thus facilitating synchronization of proper arm position withrotation of the body throughout the golf swing.

Arvanitis, Jr., U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2001/0046904,describes a stabilizing strap having a neck loop and a thumb loop. Thisstrap is used to stabilize a user engaged in playing golf or when usinga weapon.

Jestrabek-Hart, U.S. Pat. No. 6,979,303, describes an arm slingapparatus which includes a cooperating suspension system and supportframe wherein the weight of a user's arm may be transferred from theshoulder to the torso. The arm sling apparatus allows the shoulder torest and/or heal by temporarily relieving the shoulder of its liftingduties preferably without touching and therefore without stressing orfatiguing the neck or shoulder regions.

While the above slings do alleviate the stress of the arm of a user, thenew sling of the subject invention is modified to aid the user inartwork. The subject invention is easily portable and can allow a userto engage in virtually all types of artwork with increase accuracy,increase precision and decrease fatigue.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject application discloses a sling comprising a) a first strap;b) an adjustable means for connecting a first end of said first strap toa second end of said first strap to form a first loop; c) a secondstrap; d) an adjustable means for connecting a first end of said secondstrap to a second end of said second strap to form a second loop; e) afirst means for moveably attaching said first strap to a first end of afirst swivel so as to allow said first swivel to move along said firststrap; f) a second means for moveably attaching said second strap to afirst end of a second swivel so as to allow said second swivel to movealong said second strap, wherein a second end of said first swivel isrotatably attached to a second end of said second swivel so to allowsaid first strap to rotate 360 degrees in a plane parallel to said firstswivel and to allow said second strap to rotate 360 degrees in a planeparallel to said second swivel, further wherein said first loop isplaced over a desired shoulder of a user and said second loop issimultaneously placed over a desired wrist of said user.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with thevarious features of novelty which characterize the invention, arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this disclosure. The invention is not limited to the embodimentsdescribed herein, thus reference should be made to the accompanyingdrawings and descriptive matter in which the preferred embodiments ofthe invention are illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the art sling.

FIG. 2 illustrates another perspective view of the art sling.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the art sling.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the art sling.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the art sling worn by a user.

FIG. 6 illustrates another side view of the art sling worn by a user.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the optional glove attachmentto the sling.

FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of the rotatably attached swivelconnecting both loops of the art sling.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of a user engaging in artwork on astanding canvas using art sling.

FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of a user engaging in artwork over atable using the art sling.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 of the subject application shows a perspective view of the slingcontaining a first strap 1, a Velcro attachment 2, for connecting bothends of strap 1, to form loop 3. FIG. 1 also shows a second strap 4,which also contains a Velcro attachment 5, for connecting both ends ofthe second strap 4, to form loop 6. FIG. 1 shows a swivel 7, connectingloop 3 with loop 6. The swivel 7 is capable is moving up and down eitherloop 3 or loop 6 by means of clip 8 and clip 9. The swivel 7 is alsocapable of rotatably moving 360 degrees. This rotation allows eitherloop 3 or loop 6 to move in either direction from one another. When theart sling is placed over a user, loop 3 is placed over either shoulderof the user and loop 6 is placed over either wrist of the same user. Thearm sling comprises loop 3 and loop 6 to form a “FIG. 8” shape.Configuration the loop 3 is adapted to bear against the user's neckwhile loop 6 is adapted to fit over the user's wrist.

In an embodiment of the invention, the sling can be manufactured with anextra long strap 1 for artists that are obese, overweight, or simplylarge so the sling would fit them with ease.

FIG. 2 of the subject application shows another perspective view of thesling containing a first strap 1, a Velcro attachment 2, for connectingboth ends of strap 1, to form loop 3. FIG. 1 also shows a second strap4, which also contains a Velcro attachment 5, for connecting both endsof the second strap 4, to form loop 6. FIG. 1 shows a swivel 7,connecting loop 3 with loop 6. The swivel 7 is capable is moving up anddown either loop 3 or loop 6 by means of clip 8 and clip 9. The swivel 7is also capable of rotatably moving 360 degrees. This rotation allowseither loop 3 or loop 6 to move in either direction from one another.When the art sling is placed over a user, loop 3 is placed over eithershoulder of the user and loop 6 is placed over either wrist of the sameuser.

While FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate Velcro attachments 2 and 5, forconnecting both ends of strap 1 and both ends of strap 4, respectively,alternative embodiments of the subject invention include other means forattaching straps 1 and 4. These means include, but are not limited toVelcro, buckles, magnets, snaps, buttons, tie straps or any other devicethat permit shortening and/or lengthening of the sling

FIG. 3 of the subject application shows a top view of the slingcontaining a first strap 1, a Velcro attachment 2, for connecting bothends of strap 1, to form loop 3. FIG. 1 also shows a second strap 4,which also contains a Velcro attachment 5, for connecting both ends ofthe second strap 4, to form loop 6. FIG. 1 shows a swivel 7, connectingloop 3 with loop 6. The swivel 7 is capable is moving up and down eitherloop 3 or loop 6 by means of clip 8 and clip 9. The swivel 7 is alsocapable of rotatably moving 360 degrees. This rotation allows eitherloop 3 or loop 6 to move in either direction from one another. When theart sling is placed over a user, loop 3 is placed over either shoulderof the user and loop 6 is placed over either wrist of the same user.

FIG. 4 of the subject application shows a side view of the slingcontaining a first strap 1, a Velcro attachment 2, for connecting bothends of strap 1, to form loop 3, FIG. 1 also shows a second strap 4,which also contains a Velcro attachment 5, for connecting both ends ofthe second strap 4, to form loop 6. FIG. 1 shows a swivel 7, connectingloop 3 with loop 6. The swivel 7 is capable is moving up and down eitherloop 3 or loop 6 by means of clip 8 and clip 9. The swivel 7 is alsocapable of rotatably moving 360 degrees. This rotation allows eitherloop 3 or loop 6 to move in either direction from one another. When theart sling is placed over a user, loop 3 is placed over either shoulderof the user and loop 6 is placed over either wrist of the same user.

FIGS. 5 and 6 of the subject application show a view of the sling whenplaced onto a user. Loop 3 is placed over the left shoulder followingdown across the chest in a diagonal direction toward the right side ofthe waist of a user while loop 6 is simultaneously placed over the rightwrist of a user. Swivel 7, connecting loop 3 with loop 6, is capable ismoving up and down either loop 3 or loop 6 by means of clip 8 and clip9. The swivel 7 is also capable of rotatably moving 360 degrees. Thisrotation allows either loop 3 or loop 6 to move in either direction fromone another. A comfort pad 10 is placed on the shoulder to protect theshoulder and neck that comes in contact with the long strap 1.

FIG. 7 of the subject application shows a perspective view of the slingcontaining a first loop 3. FIG. 7 also shows a glove attachment 11. Theglove attachment is attached to the double-eye swivel 7. FIG. 7 shows aswivel 7, connecting loop 3 with glove attachment 11. The swivel 7 iscapable is moving up and down loop 3 by means of clip 8 and clip 9. Theswivel 7 is also capable of rotatably moving 360 degrees. This rotationallows either loop 3 or glove attachment 11 to move in either directionfrom one another. When the art sling is placed over a user, loop 3 isplaced over either shoulder of the user and glove attachment 11 isplaced over either hand of the same user.

The glove attachment 11 prevents condensation or perspiration toaccumulate on an artist's hands, and prevents material such as oilpaints and charcoal from spilling onto the artist's hands or body. Inaddition, an Amputee artist could use the art sling glove attachment 11to keep their prosthetic arms and hands clean while engaging in artwork.

FIG. 8 of the subject application shows a view of the swivel 7. Theswivel 7 is capable of rotatably moving 360 degrees. In alternativeembodiments of the subject invention, the swivel 7 may be a double-eyeswivel which allows the user to freely move the Wrist and Hand in aCircular 180 degrees in either direction with no obstructions from theeither straps or anything else.

FIGS. 9 and 10 of the subject application show a view of the sling whenplaced onto a user engaging in artwork. FIG. 9 shows a user wearing thesling while engaging in artwork on a standing canvas. The individual canstand in an upright position while painting on canvas or drawing on amural. FIG. 10 shows a user wearing the sling while engaging in artworkon a table top. The individual can stand in a bent over position whilepainting in water color or drawing in pen and ink. The individual cansit on a chair in an upright position while using a pottery wheel ormodel construction. Loop 3 is placed over the left shoulder of a userwhile loop 6 is simultaneously placed over the right wrist of a user.Swivel 7, connecting loop 3 with loop 6, is capable is moving up anddown either loop 3 or loop 6 by means of clip 8 and clip 9. The swivel 7is also capable of rotatably moving 360 degrees. This rotation allowseither loop 3 or loop 6 to move in either direction from one another.

The subject invention also discloses a method of using the art sling tosteady the artist's hand during artwork comprising a) connecting saidfirst end of said first strap to said second end of said first strap toform said first loop; b) placing said first loop over said desiredshoulder and adjusting said first loop to a desired length; c)connecting said second end of said second strap to said second end ofsaid second strap to form said second loop; d) placing said second loopover said desired wrist and adjusting said second loop to a desiredlength; wherein said second loop steadies said desired wrist to allowsaid user to engage in said art activity.

The subject invention also discloses a method of using the art sling toprevent fatigue while engaging in art activity comprising a) connectingsaid first end of said first strap to said second end of said firststrap to form said first loop; b) placing said first loop over saiddesired shoulder and adjusting said first loop to a desired length; c)connecting said second end of said second strap to said second end ofsaid second strap to form said second loop; d) placing said second loopover said desired wrist and adjusting said second loop to a desiredlength; wherein said second loop prevents fatigue in said user whileengaging in said art activity.

Artists that may benefit from use of the art sling in steadying the handor to prevent fatigue include artists suffering from the symptoms ofmuscular disorders, nervous disorders or medical disabilities. This mayinclude artists that have involuntary reflex actions of the nervoussystem resulting in spontaneous uncontrollable muscle reactions, such asa pinched nerve in the wrist joint or nervousness in the hands.

The art sling of the subject application may be used in virtually anysort of artistic activity, particularly in those in which the artist isoutstretched or in another weak position. Such activities include, butare not limited to, painting, sculpting, drawing, woodworking andpinstripe detail work on the body of an automobile. This sling alsoprovides added control to delicate line strokes to difficult brushstrokes to oil, water color, acrylic, pottery, pen and ink, charcoalpencil, soft pastel, and lithograph artists. Others that may benefitfrom the use of the art sling include, but are not limited to artistsign painters, cartographers delineators, architects, welders on anysort of working medium, including canvas cardboard battle any sort ofwork surface.

The art sling provides added control to artists. The art sling can alsobe used for art restoration such as restoring artwork originallypainting on a ceiling.

The art sling of the subject application leaves the other hand of theartist free to hold paint or other supplies

The invention is light weight, portable can be stored almost anywherecan be carried in most anything. In addition, the art sling is washable.In alternative embodiments of the invention, the sling may beconstructed of neoprene nylon elastic leather or similar materials knownto those skilled in the art.

In alternative embodiments the art sling can be produced in manydifferent colors. For example the art sling can be manufactured in Red,Blue, Yellow, Purple, Green, Orange, Black, White, Gray, And Brown withmixed and matched colored straps to distinguish the owner of the slingin an environment with shared artistic supplies such as a classroom.

1. A sling comprising: a) a first strap; b) an adjustable means forconnecting a first end of said first strap to a second end of said firststrap to form a first loop; c) a second strap; d) an adjustable meansfor connecting a first end of said second strap to a second end of saidsecond strap to form a second loop; e) a first means for moveablyattaching said first strap to a first end of a first swivel so as toallow said first swivel to move along said first strap; f) a secondmeans for moveably attaching said second strap to a first end of asecond swivel so as to allow said second swivel to move along saidsecond strap wherein a second end of said first swivel is rotatablyattached to a second end of said second swivel so to allow said firststrap to rotate 360 degrees in a plane parallel to said first swivel andto allow said second strap to rotate 360 degrees in a plane parallel tosaid second swivel, further wherein said first loop is placed over adesired shoulder of a user and said second loop is simultaneously placedover a desired wrist of said user.
 2. The sling of claim 1, wherein saidfirst loop may be placed over either shoulder of said user.
 3. The slingof claim 1, wherein said second loop may be placed over either wrist ofsaid user.
 4. The sling of claim 1, wherein said adjustable means forconnecting said first end of said first strap to said second end of saidfirst strap to form said first loop may be selected from the groupconsisting of Velcro, buckles, magnets, snaps, buttons and tie straps.5. The sling of claim 1, wherein said adjustable means for connectingsaid first end of said second strap to said second end of said secondstrap to form said second loop may be selected from the group consistingof Velcro, buckles, magnets, snaps, buttons and tie straps.
 6. A methodof using said sling of claim 1 to steady a hand of said user whileengaging in an art activity, comprising: a) connecting said first end ofsaid first strap to said second end of said first strap to form saidfirst loop; b) placing said first loop over said desired shoulder andadjusting said first loop to a desired length; c) connecting said secondend of said second strap to said second end of said second strap to formsaid second loop; d) placing said second loop over said desired wristand adjusting said second loop to a desired length; wherein said secondloop steadies said desired wrist to allow said user to engage in saidart activity.
 7. A method of using said sling of claim 1 to preventfatigue of said user while engaging in said art activity, wherein saiduser: a) connecting said first end of said first strap to said secondend of said first strap to form said first loop; b) placing said firstloop over said desired shoulder and adjusting said first loop to adesired length; c) connecting said second end of said second strap tosaid second end of said second strap to form said second loop; d)placing said second loop over said desired wrist and adjusting saidsecond loop to a desired length; wherein said second loop preventsfatigue in said user while engaging in said art activity.
 8. The methodof claim 6, wherein said user has a muscular disorder.
 9. The method ofclaim 6, wherein said user has a nervous disorder.
 10. The method ofclaim 6, wherein said user has a medical disability.
 11. The method ofclaim 6, wherein said art activity may be selected from the groupconsisting of painting, sculpting, drawing and woodworking.
 12. A slingcomprising: a) a first strap; b) an adjustable means for connecting afirst end of said first strap to a second end of said first strap toform a first loop; c) a first means for moveably attaching said firststrap to a first end of a first swivel so as to allow said first swivelto move along said first strap; d) a glove; and e) a second means forattaching said glove to a first end of a second swivel wherein a secondend of said first swivel is rotatably attached to a second end of saidsecond swivel so to allow said first strap to rotate 360 degrees in aplane parallel to said first swivel and to allow said glove to rotate360 degrees in a plane parallel to said second swivel, further whereinsaid first loop is placed over a desired shoulder of a user and saidglove is simultaneously placed over a desired hand of said user.
 13. Thesling of claim 12, wherein said first loop may be placed over eithershoulder of said user.
 14. The sling of claim 12, wherein said glove maybe placed over either hand of said user.
 15. The sling of claim 12,wherein said adjustable means for connecting said first end of saidfirst strap to said second end of said first strap to form said firstloop may be selected from the group consisting of Velcro, buckles,magnets, snaps, buttons and tie straps.
 16. A method of using said slingof claim 12 to steady a hand of said user while engaging in an artactivity, comprising: a) connecting said first end of said first strapto said second end of said first strap to form said first loop; b)placing said first loop over said desired shoulder and adjusting saidfirst loop to a desired length; c) placing said glove over said desiredhand; wherein said glove steadies said desired hand to allow said userto engage in said art activity.
 17. A method of using said sling ofclaim 1 to prevent fatigue of said user while engaging in said artactivity, wherein said user: a) connecting said first end of said firststrap to said second end of said first strap to form said first loop; b)placing said first loop over said desired shoulder and adjusting saidfirst loop to a desired length; c) placing said glove over said desiredhand; wherein said glove prevents fatigue in said user while engaging insaid art activity.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein said user has amuscular disorder.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein said user has anervous disorder.
 20. The method of claim 16, wherein said user has amedical disability.